Scuba Diving Activities/Packages in Neil Island

Serene and beautiful, Neil Island is a scuba diver’s dreamland. Given its remote location, the water around is almost translucent blue waters, Neil Island has some of the perfect diving spots in the Andaman Islands. Junction, K-Rock, and Margherita’s Mischief are some of the most popular scuba diving sites on Neil Island. Jetty Channel Marker and Bus Stop are also famous diving sites on the island. The dive depth in Junction is the highest at 30 metres and the site is frequented by many advanced scuba divers. Of course, beginners can also try their luck at Junction. The Jetty Channel Marker with a low depth of 11 metres, is the best for beginners who want to train in scuba diving.

The cost of scuba diving in Neil Island varies based on a lot of factors. The primary factor is your intent behind the dive. If you want to dive just for recreation, you can take up one of the packages that come at around INR 4000-INR 6500. The packages usually include a diving instructor, boat transportation, videos and photos from the dive which last for 40 minutes to an hour. There are some night-diving scuba packages as well the cost for which would be a little more. This package is best if you don’t know how to swim. Swimmers can also take these packages, of course. However, if they want to go one step further and get a scuba diving certification, they can opt for a training course that can last anywhere between 1 day to 7 days. The cost of the course will also change depending on the number of days and the intensity of the training. On average, in Neil Island, the cost can be anywhere between INR 6000 to INR 15000 or upwards.

Scuba diving is open throughout the year except for the rainy season. Simply put, you can’t go for a dive if it's raining or there are chances of a storm since it's risky. Usually, scuba diving season starts around the beginning of October and ends by the end of April. However, many scuba diving sites are also open throughout May and some parts of June, on days when there’s no rain. Note that the diving centre may cancel your scuba dive in case there are sudden spells of rain.

Yes, absolutely. It might come as a surprise to you, but you don’t need to know how to swim to be able to scuba dive. Scuba diving is open to non-swimmers as well. However, you cannot get a PADI/SSI certification if you do not know how to swim as you are not eligible for the scuba certification training course. You can still opt for a recreational scuba package that will include a dive with an instructor.

Port Blair is the gateway to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Hence, you’d first have to take a flight to Port Blair to reach Neil Island. From Port Blair, you can take boats to Neil Island. Neil Island is around 37 km from Port Blair and it can take you anything between an hour and a half to 2 hours to reach the island. You can either opt for the government ferries at one of the jetties in Port Blair or a private boat. While the government ferry is cheap, it is a bit slow and usually experiences a lot of rush. Two private agencies provide boats to Neil Island from Port Blair – Ocean Green and Makruzz.

Fortunately, there is only a lower age limit for scuba diving. Anyone, upwards of the age of 10 is allowed to scuba dive. There is no upper age limit. If you are healthy and have strong respiratory abilities, you can scuba dive even if you are in your 70s.

Most people can scuba dive on Neil Island. But since scuba diving is an activity that specifically requires you to use your lungs, anyone with severe respiratory issues should avoid the activity. People with severe heart issues also should not scuba dive. It is best to consult with your doctor before booking a scuba diving appointment. Pregnant women are generally asked to avoid scuba diving as it is risky for them. You can scuba dive even if you have poor eyesight. You cannot, however, wear prescription glasses for your dive. You can either wear a contact lens or a prescription scuba mask that matches your required power. You can contact the diving centre in advance about the prescription scuba masks.

Neil Island is a popular place for people who need some quiet time away from the world. Since the island attracts less crowd than Havelock, you can enjoy the serenity of the beautiful island and the many water sports activities without much of a hassle. Neil Island is, of course, very popular for scuba diving activities. But scuba diving is just one of the activities you can enjoy on the island. Where there is scuba diving, there’s also got to be snorkelling and sea walking. What's more, you can satiate your need for speed by enjoying a ride on a jet ski.

Being an island, Neil Island is all about the best beaches in the country. There are so many beaches that you can enjoy in the small village. Most people flock to the Laxmanpur and Bharatpur beaches. Take a trip to the sea in a glass boat and gaze at the wonders of the underwater world. Sitapur beach, which is a rocky beach, is also popular among tourists and locals both. If you want some breathtaking views, visit the Natural Bridge, which is also called the Howrah Bridge.

Be prepared to be stared back at by brilliant sea turtles underwater on Neil Island. Since the water is clearer than Havelock Island (there are no mangroves on Neil Island), you have the opportunity to spot many water creatures at a relatively close depth. And water creatures there are many. You will be able to spot manta rays, sea snakes, much colourful tropical fish, and yes, the elusive dugongs if you go scuba diving on Neil Island.

Answer: Yes, snorkeling is safe for you even if you don’t know swimming. An instructor will be there with you with whom you will be learning the basics. Anyone can go for this enthralling activity when in the Andamans.

Answer: Mask, snorkel, and fins are the essentials for this exciting water activity. You can bring your own gear for a proper and comfortable fit. However, you can take these on rent as well. If you want to capture the serendipitous moments of your underwater adventure, then don’t forget to bring an underwater camera. Also, if you decide to stay in the water for a longer period of time, then you will need to wear a wet suit.

Answer: This typically depends on the area. There are some places that have a reef right off the beach. So you don’t have to travel far to reach the snorkel site. A land-based trip will suffice in case you only want to get to a specific snorkeling location. However, there are many areas that are so spread out and vast that you will be requiring a boat to reach there.

Answer: The Andaman Islands is a year-round destination. However, the winter season, i.e., from November to May, is considered the best time to go scuba diving. It is the ideal time for sightseeing and indulging in exciting water sports as the temperature during these months ranges between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius.

Answer: Havelock Island is home to rich marine life that includes wonderful creatures and colourful corals. Among all the places, the best place to experience scuba diving on the island is Elephant Beach. Some of the other places for trying your hand at scuba diving in Andamans are mentioned below:

• Red Skin Island
• North Bay Island
• South Button
• Kalipur
• Neil Island
• Henry Lawrence Island
• Tamarind Camp
• Jolly Buoy Island

Answer: Some of the tips for snorkelling are explained below:

• Ensure that you book your slot for snorkelling well in advance with a trustworthy diving centre in order to avoid any last-minute hassle. Located in Havelock Island, Dive Andaman is a reliable name across the island and it will make all your bookings. 
• Before going into the water, check your snorkelling equipment property. Change it immediately if it is not comfortable even a little bit. Otherwise, it may cause you trouble and you may panic under the water. 
• Learn all the methods and gestures properly in your training session. Make sure that you learn about the usage of the equipment. 
• Make sure that you have not eaten anything for the last four hours in order to avoid underwater sickness.
• A number of snorkelling packages are available as per your budget and requirements. Select the one suiting your convenience.

Answer: Snorkeling is an adventurous water activity that lets you explore the lovely underwater world. The best thing is that it can be performed by non-swimmers as well. Whether you want to do it alone or with friends and family members, it is an amazing way to spend some quality time in the Andaman Islands with your near and dear ones. You need to get into the water and go inside to observe the fascinating marine life and corals of the island. Just wear fins, a mask, and a snorkel. Wear a protective suit in case you want to swim closer to the ocean floor.

Snorkeling in the Andaman Islands is going to be a mesmerizing experience for you if you have the right equipment. As soon as you get into the water, you can start snorkelling. An additional benefit is that this water activity lets you burn your calories as well. It is a great experience for your island vacation and you are going to cherish it for the rest of your life.